Emblem device



G. W. EMMERT EMBLEM DEVICE Feb. 24, 1959 Filed Aug. l, 1956 BY Afzm,

x i .llllflllll United States Patent O EMBLEM DEVICE Application August 1, 1956, serial No. 601,533 9 claims. (cl. 40s-1.5)

The present invention relates to emblem devices and more particularly to an improved emblem structure that is `-ideally suited for use, for example, for so called lapel pins or lapel emblems of the type distributed from time to time in great numbers by institutions and organizations of various kinds.

`One of the major costs heretofore involved in the manufacture ofsmall lapel type emblems and the like has been the expense of providing, in conjunction with the emblems, some means by which they may be readily attached to the clothing of the wearer. Organizations, for example,such as the Red Cross, Community Chest,

and others who sponsor fund raising campaigns, have constantly sought ways and means to reduce the expense Vof the `organizational emblemsthat they distribute in great numbers to their contributors and to their workers. By resorting to the use of plastic rather than metalv for thevbodies of their emblems, some progress has been made `by organizations of this type in reducing the total cost of their emblems, but even with plastic emblems .the relative c ost of the manufacturing step of applying to .the plastic bodies the means for securing the'emblems Pto the clothing has remained very high and has heretofore beenlthought by those skilled inV theart to `be an itemv ofcost that could not be overcome or avoided.

rljholughthe cost of applying the securing means to a single emblemmay heretofore have been only a fraction of a cent, it will readily be appreciated that this cost has been -a very substantial factor in the total'cost of manufacture when the production of hundreds of thousands,`.r millions', of the emblems has been involved.,

, Oneof the principal objects of the present invention is to provide an emblemY device adapted to be attached to clothing` or tovother articles, wherein the cost of the structural Vmeans for attaching theemblem to the clothing is reducedto a minimum and the heretofore relatively costly manufacturing step of securing the attaching means `to the emblem isentirely avoided, thereby providing a less expensive emblem device than any heretofore known to me.V Another object of the invention is to provide an emblem device of the character just stated that may be attached to the clothing by a simple, ordinary, straight house pin'which'is securedrto the emblem device, not bythe manufacturer, but by the user himselfat thetime he applies the emblem'to the clothing. Still another object of the invention is to provide an emblem device yof theaforesaidkind that is of single piece construction and may be easily and` inexpensively molded of elastoirleric thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene, but yet `ismprovidedon its backside1 with `means for guid- ,ingthe direction of movementof the attaching `pin when the emblem lis applied. by the userto his clothing, and isalso'provided with means'by which the, emblem device Aissecuredtotliepin.` Y p These and other objectsand advantages ofthe present 4invention willj be apparent from the following description Aof apreferred embodiment thereof, and a modification ICC 2 of that embodiment, taken with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view lof an emblem device in accordance with the present invention, showing the emblem as it may appear when applied to an article of clothing;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken through the emblem and'through the fabric of the article of clothing substantially along the line 2--2 in Fig. l, showing in broken lines the position of the emblem securing pin immediately before attachment of the emblem to the article of clothing is made;l

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the back side of the emblem shown in Figs. 1 and 2, showing the securing pin in the position that it occupies after the emblem has been attached toV the clothing;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional View taken substantially along the line 4-4 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is'a similar view taken substantially along the lineA 5-5 `in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 4but showing the appearance of the H-shaped embossment on the back side of the emblem, together with a diaphragm provided between the legs of the embossment, before the diaphragm is pierced by the pin during the mounting of the emblem upon the clothing;

Fig. 7 is a modification of the emblem structure shown in the preceding views; and

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 in Fig. 7, showing the manner in which the modified emblem s attached to an article of clothing or other fabric.

In the drawing the numeral 10 designates, generally, the body portion of an emblem constructed in accordance with the present invention. This body portion of the emblem may have any desired outline oredge configuration, and its lface 11 may likewise carry any design or information desired. In the present'instance, for purposes of simplicity, the emblem body has been shaped to resemble a feather, but it will be appreciated that the lemblem body may resemble the symbol commonly employed by the Red Cross or that used by any other organization or group.

As will be more fully explained hereinafter, the present emblem is preferably formed or molded as a single piece from any suitable elastomeric material having rubber-like qualities. An example of one suchsuitable material is the synthetic, organic, elastomeric, thermoplastic materialknown as polyethylene. Y

The back side 12 of the body 10 of the emblem is preferably flat or planar and has an H-shaped emboss ment 13 integrally formed thereon. This H-shapedembossment is comprised of a pair of substantially parallel spaced apart legs 14 and 15, the adjacent walls of which dene a longitudinally extending. guide passage adapted .to receive a straight pin 16 which may be of the common ordinary household variety. 'The Vguide passage provided by -the adjacent walls ofthe' two legs 14 and 15 of the H-shaped embossment is laterally traversed by the crossbar 17 ofthe H whichis formed integrallywith the rear surface 12 ofthe body of the emblem and also with the legs 14 and 15 of the `H-shaped embossment. This cross-bar 17 of the vlvl has a thickness such thatdue to the elastic rubber-like quality ofthe material from which the emblem device is formed,`it provides an elastic, Aresilient diaphragm extending across the guide passage..

The H-shaped embossment 13Vis preferably located towardY one end of the body 10 ofthe emblem, and a second embossment 18 is integrally formed uponj the rear side 12 of .the emblem in alignment with the previously mentioned guide passage for the pin 16. The

the emblem to the fabric article.

second iembossinent l.1'8 'is provided with'a face v19 dithe emblem Yis Vplaced over the fold so that the fold lies between the H-shaped embossment 13 and the second embossment 18, as indicated vin Fig. 2K. The pin 16 is then placed in the position shown by the broken lines in Fig. 2 with the point of the pin disposed Tin the `guide passage between the adjacent Vupper endsV of `the legs 14land l15lof the H-shaped embossment.

The pin 16 is then moved Vdownwardly so that Aitsfpoint pierces the diaphragm provided by 'thejcr'oss-ba'r V17v of Vthe H--shaped -embossment.

Y I After -piercingfthe diaphragm, thepin penetrates the fold 'Z1-ofthe fabric and emerges therefrom, whereupon theipoint of thewpincomes into .contact with the face Y19 ofthe embossment 18 and penetrates and is buried -in that face. This simple longitudinal movement of the pin is guided by the adjacent walls of the guide passagel .provided by the legs 14 and 15 of the -H-shaped embossment, and the pin thus tends to be guided in the proper ldirection to cause its point to engage and penetrate the face 19 of the boss Y18. The V-shape 'of the face 19 tends to direct the point of the pinto the central portion of the boss 18 so that the pin point will bef'embedded properly in that boss. Y A

From the foregoing description it will be observed that the attachment of the present Vemblem Vto the fabric 20 may be very easily accomplished, and when the pin 16 has been inserted in the manner just described, the projection of the pin through the diaphragm-like crossbar 17 :of the embossment 13, and the embedding of the pin point in the boss 18, not only secures the emblem to the pin 16, but also secures both the pin and In this connection it will be noted that the piercing movement of the pin 16 through the resilient, elastic diaphragm-like cross-bar 17 of the H-shaped embossment 13 creates a state of compression in the material of the diaphragm about the body of the prin, causing this material to grip'the pin and thus tend to preven't'withdrawal thereof. It will also be noted that thatpportion of the l'diaphragnrim- "inediate'ly surrounding the body of thepin is depressed slightly Vat `17a into the 'shape of'a funnel as the pin engages and pierces `the diaphragm. Thus, any effort to withdraw the pin will tend to pullY thematerial of 'this funnel-shaped perti'onf17a of the-diaphragm uppin. This effectively retains the pin in theposition to raise the emblem and the pin 16 with Vrespect to the fabric. If desired, when theY emblem is manufactured without the boss 18, as `shown in Figs. 7 andV 8, the

crossbar 17 of the H-shaped embossmengand thus the diaphragm provided thereby, may have a somewhat greater thickness than that necessary when the boss 18 Ais employed. This increased thickness in the diaphragmlike cross-bar 17 ofi-the H-shapedboss tendsnto Ygive the diaphragm increased rigidity which prevents vthe lower end of the Vbody of the emblem `from being drawn outwardly with Vrespect to the `fabric article and the pin 16.

It will readily be appreciated from the above description and from the drawing that emblem devices may be manufactured in great numbers in accordance with the present invention very inexpensively. This advantage fiows from the fact that the emblem device may easily be molded as an integral unit from inexpensive thermoplastic materials and without the necessity of applying the fasteningpin tothe emblem Vdevice during its manufacture. The fastening pin in the present case is secured to the emblem device by the user himself at the same time the device is applied to 'the-fabric article, thereby ycompletely eliminating the heretofore unavoidably expensive manufacturing step of securing the fastening pin to the emblem body.

If desired, distribution of the present emblem may be madebyplacing each of the emblems, -along with the fsraightfpin 16, in a cellophane bag. VThis :method of distribution'not only insures thatthe recipientof the emblem will receive the 'emblem device along with the attaching pin, but it also provides the distributor with an excellent medium upon which he may print instructions for applying lthe vemblem to the clothing vand also any such information as he may desire to give with 'regard to the significance of'the emblem.

Theforegoing description has been given for 'clearness Yof understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be inferred therefrom, lfor it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that numerous variations may be made in the emblem device illustrated, without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim: A

l. A single piece emblem device for attachment to a fabric article by means of a pin, comprising an ern blem body having integrally formed on the backside thereof a pair of rearwardly projecting, substantially parallel, spaced apart walls defining a pin receiving guide passage therebetween, an elastic diaphragm intelfabric article by means of a pin, comprising an emblem body having `integrally formed on the backside thereof a pair of rearwardly projecting, substantially parallel, spaced apart walls dening a pin receiving guide passage therebetween, an elastic diaphragm integral with said body and with said walls and extending transversely across said guide passage in position to be pierced bythe pin when vthe same is inserted longitudinally through said guide passage and into the fabric article, said guide pas- `sage guiding the' pin during said longitudinal movement thereof, and a rearwardly projecting 'boss integrally formed on said backside rof said body with a face thereon in alignment with said guide passage to be penetrated by the pointed'end of the pin after the end has lbeen passed `through said diaphragm.v and through a portion of the fabric article, said diaphragmgrippingthe p in toretain the same in ysaid guide passage, and said vdiaphragm Aand said boss cooperating to retain -said emblem body upon the pin and thus upon the fabric article. n f

43.*'1`he combination set forth in claim 2, wherein 'said face on said boss has a recess rthereiny for 'the l A44. A *in 44 -44ml pointed end of the pin to a central portion of said face before the pointed end penetrates said face.

4. An emblem device for attachment to a fabric article by means of a straight pin, comprising an emblem -body having a pair of rearwardly projecting, substantially parallel, spaced apart walls on the backside thereof defining a pin receiving guide passage therebetween, a resilient diaphragm extending transversely across said guide passage in position to be pierced by the straight pin when the same is inserted longitudinally through said guide passage and into the fabric article, said resilient diaphragm gripping the pin when pierced thereby to retain the pin in said guide passage, said diaphragm thereby serving to retain said emblem body upon the pin and thus upon the fabric article.

5. An emblem device for attachment to a fabric article by means of a straight pin, comprising an emblem body having a pair of rearwardly projecting, substantially parallel, spaced apart walls on the backside thereof delining a pin receiving guide passage therebetween, a resilient diaphragm extending transversely across said guide passage in position to be pierced by the straight pin when the same is inserted longitudinally through said guide passage and into the fabric article, said guide passage guiding the pin during said longitudinal movement thereof, and a rearwardly projecting boss of relatively soft material on said backside of said emblem body with a face thereon in alignment with said guide passage to be penetrated by the pointed end of the pin after the pointed end has been passed through said diaphragm and through a portion of the fabric article, said diaphragm gripping the pin to retain the same in said guide passage, and said diaphragm and said boss cooperating to retain said emblem body upon the pin and thus upon the fabric article.

6. A singleV piece emblem device formed entirely of resilient thermoplastic elastic material and constructed for attachment to a fabric article by means of an ordinary straight house pin, comprising an emblem |body having an H-shaped embossment formed on the backside thereof and projecting rearwardly from said body a distance greater than the diameter of the body of the pin, the lateral legs of said H-shaped embossment dening a pin receiving guide passage therebetween and the cross-bar of said H- shaped embossment providing a resilient diaphragm extending transversely across said guide passage in position to be pierced by the pin when the same is inserted longitudinally through said guide passage and into the fabric article, said guide passage guiding the pin during said longitudinal movement thereof and said diaphragm gripping the pin when pierced thereby to retain the pin in said guide passage, said diaphragm thereby serving to retain said emblem body upon the pin and thus upon the I fabric article.

7. A single piece emblem device formed entirely of resilient thermoplastic elastic material and constructed for attachment to a fabric article by means of an ordinary straight house pin, comprising an emblem body having an H-shaped embossment formed on the backside thereof and projecting rearwardly from said body a distance greater than the diameter of the body of the pin, the lateral legs of said H-shaped embossment defining a pin receiving guide passage therebetween and the cross-bar of said H-shaped embossment providing a resilient diaphragm extending transversely across said guide passage in position to be pierced by said pin when the same is inserted longitudinally through said guide passage and into said fabric article, said guide passage guiding the pin during said longitudinal movement thereof, and another rearwardly projecting embossment formed on said backside of said emblem |body with a face thereon in alignment with said guide passage to be penetrated by the pointed end of the pin after the pointed end has been passed through said diaphragm and through a portion of the fabric article, said resilient diaphragm gripping the pin to retain the same in said guide passage, and said diaphragm and said second embossment serving to retain said emblem body on the pin and thus on the fabric article.

8. A single piece emblem device for attachment to a fabric article by means of a pin comprising an emblem body having integrally formed on the 'backside thereof a pin receiving guidev passage, an elastic diaphragm integral with said body and with said guide passage and extending transversely across said guide passage in posi- .tion to lbe pierced by a pin when the same is inserted longitudinally through said guide passage and into the fabric article, said guide passage serving to guide said pin during said longitudinal movement thereof and said diaphragm gripping the pin when pierced thereby to retain the pin in said guide passage, said diaphragm thereby serving to retain said emblem body upon the pin and thus upon the fabric article.

9. A single piece emblem device for attachment to a fabric article by means of a pin comprising an emblem Ibody having integrally formed on the backside thereof a pin receiving guide passage, an elastic diaphragm integral with said Ibody and with said guide passage and.

extending transversely across said guide passage in position to be pierced by a pin when the same is inserted 1ongitudinally through said guide passage and into the fabric article, said guide passage serving to guide said pin during said longitudinal movement thereof, and a rearwardly projecting iboss integrally formed on said backside of said body with a face thereon in alignment with said guide passage to be penetrated by the pointed end of the pin after the end has been passed through said diaphragm and through a portion of the fabric article, said diaphragm gripping the pin to retain the same in said guide passage, said diaphragm and said boss cooperating to retain said embllem body upon the pin and thus upon the fabric artic e.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 767,156 Lemos Aug. 9, 1904 903,611 Smith Nov. 10, 1908 1,379,491 Toy May 21, 1921 FOREIGN PATENTS 876,175 France July 20, 1942 

